Welcome To Cajun Country

There really is very little science to this particular form of cooking that includes a lot more than mere lagniappe from the pantry or the spice cabinet.Cooking in the heart of Cajun country is an art form.
One of the fascinating things about Cajun cooking is the fact that there are very few exact recipes.Cajun cooking is something that has often been imitated around the country and around the world but can very rarely be accurately duplicated.
Most, if not all authentic Cajun food is done to taste rather than measurements. Even more amazing is that from day to day one person can make the same dish over and over and it is quite likely to taste a little bit different each and every time it is made.
The main motive for this is that besides being an art form in its own right, Cajun food is frequently made even better tasting or unique due to the frame of mind of the cook. No doubt a lot of you have observed as Emeril Lagasse whips up some dazzling creation and shouts 'Bam'!
There's a great deal of that in regard to Cajun cooking. It is a thing which goes way beyond the recipe's ingredients and deep down into the soul and heart of the cook. There's a good reason why many southern cooked dishes are called soul food, and you must not for one second forget that New Orleans is indeed known as the very heart of the Deep South.
The most difficult thing, perhaps when it comes to preparing good Cajun dishes outside of the New Orleans region is finding the right ingredients. It is nearly impossible to find the fresh seasonings and spices that are essential to most Cajun cuisine outside the heart of the old south.
If you are determined to learn to make Cajun food of your own, you must first find the ingredients.Not only that, but fresh crawfish and andouille sausage are a little difficult to come by during the heart of a Michigan winter.
Specialty food shops or those that will special order might be your best bet. There are some grocers that will carry a limited stock of Cajun seasonings on their international food aisles. Keep in mind that these sources are extremely limited.
Once you have the ingredients, it's time to let a little jazz blare from your speakers in order to set the mood. Most of the best Cajun dishes require a substantial amount of time for simmering and this should be considered.
Similar to those who live in the Big Easy, Cajun food must not be rushed. It will be ready in just the right amount of time. As the one who cooks this food, you have to simply accept this fact. This food has its own way of letting you know when it's ready which is almost mythical--until you have found it out for yourself.
Cooking Cajun food can become a very emotional process for a lot of folks, as it will try your patience, wring out your talents, and sometimes take your energy. However, Cajun food is also some of the most delicious, richest food in our world. Mastering the skill to cook this amazing food makes you a slave to the flavor for decades to come.